Romanian Air Forces

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Romanian Air Forces
Image:Stema Statului Major al Fortelor Aeriene.JPG Image:1 3 SMFA steag.jpg
Military manpower
Military age	20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 in wartime; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Availability	males age 15–49: 5,952,834 (2004 est.)
Fit for military service	males age 15–49: 5,007,375 (2004 est.)
Reaching military age annually	males: 163,577 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures
Amount	$985 million (2002)
Percent of GDP	2.47% (2002)

The Romanian Air Forces operates about 110 MiG 21 Lancers, modernized in cooperation with Israel between 1993 and 2002, as well as 4 C-130 Hercules transport planes, An-24s, An-26s and about 100 IAR-330 Puma helicopters. 25 IAR-330 PUMA SOCAT helicopters have been modernized by the Romanian aviation industry in cooperation with Israel for attack missions. The Romanian Air Forces also includes native-made IAR-99 Şoim jet planes, in general only used for training of the young pilots. The remaining MiG-29s have been removed from service in 2003.

The active forces have an air force headquarters, an operational command, four air bases and an air defense brigade. Reserve forces include two air bases and three airfields.

Due to the old age of the MIGs it is believed that the Romanian Air Forces will acquire about 48 American fighters or similar European aircraft, following its expected admission to the European Union in 2007.

Also around 2007, the Romanian Air Forces will employ 13,250 personnel.

Image:Roundel of the Romanian Air Force.svg